Development Joshua Giddings and Lotto Dstny Devo Team dominate Brussels-Opwijk

The Lotto Dstny Development Team was active in Brussels-Opwijk on Sunday, a race over 160 kilometers. At the start one minute of silence was held for Tijl De Decker, who was third last year.  

After 30 kilometers the Lotto Dstny squad went full on the Putberg. The race opened up and 13 riders got an advantage, in which 5 riders of Lotto Dstny were present. "Our plan was to go full with the team after 30 kilometers, and that worked. I looked back and I immediately saw the bunch was stretched out. Everyone of the team just committed and we went full. It gives a big reward, when you commit and you see that there are gaps", Joshua Giddings looks back.

The lead went up to around one minute. In the meantime three other riders joined the breakaway.  Towards the finale attacks came from everywhere. In the last lap one rider of Wanty - ReUz - Technord escaped and took 15 seconds. "I tried to bridge, but I didn't succeed so I actually thought the victory was gone. The team worked super hard and we closed the gap with 3 kilometers to go. From there I had to believe I could sprint, as my team had given so much. I knew I had to be second into the last corner, and I was. I just stayed in the saddle as I couldn't stand up anymore. I gave everything and saw that nobody passed me, I was super happy when I crossed the lign", Giddings smiles.

"I haven't won a road race in a long time, so it's a big confidence boost. It's nice to know that the winter was successful and with the team we have I'm confident that we can dominate also on other races. We dominated today and it paid off. I can't thank my team enough. My phone is going crazy. My next race is GP Samyn on Tuesday. It's a real experience to ride with the pro team. I will just do my best again."

Pictures: Brecht Steenhouwer